This week marked one of the biggest shake-ups to UK employment law in years. From 6 April 2026, the first major wave of changes under the Employment Rights Act 2025 officially came into force, and if you have employees, it's worth knowing what's changed.
Employers now have clearer duties to keep accurate records of workers' annual leave for six years. This includes ordinary and additional leave, leave carried forward, holiday pay details, and any payments made in lieu of annual leave. Failure to comply can result in criminal fines.
A new enforcement body (the Fair Work Agency) has also been introduced to oversee how employment rights are upheld. It has the power to inspect workplaces, investigate breaches, issue penalties, and support employees in bringing claims to employment tribunals.
This is a lot to keep on top of, but you don't have to navigate it alone. If you have any questions about how these changes affect your business, speak to your Client Manager and we'll point you in the right direction.